as in detectives
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the popular TV sleuth lives a much more action-packed life than do his real-world counterparts
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of sleuths
Seven strangers stranded in a snowstorm at Monkswell Manor all become suspects, and sleuths, when a local woman is murdered.
—
Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 4 Feb. 2026
In Short’s case, the flattening is particularly egregious, because the inchoate facts of her life are shoehorned into the obsessions of amateur sleuths who continue to get those facts wrong.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Internet sleuths noticed Baldoni had not posed for photos with Lively on the red carpet.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Although Heather never named the four girls publicly, internet sleuths ascertained the identities of the girls Heather claimed bullied her daughter, and their names were circulated widely.
—Corin Cesaric, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
But in making certain allegations about his mother’s behavior before and during the wedding, held at the Peltz family’s Palm Beach estate, Brooklyn Beckham also has opened himself to serious fact-checking by online sleuths, according to the BBC.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile a significant piece of evidence in the case that citizen sleuths and true-crime influencers online continue to press on is the location of Park's unborn baby's body.
—Andrea May Sahouri, Freep.com, 19 Jan. 2026
But while British sleuths wear raincoats or umbrellas, Erica is more suited for a beautiful French scarf.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 19 Jan. 2026
Armchair sleuths, though, descended on the pod, speculating that the son was covering for his father and digging into his identity.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 4 Feb. 2026
In Short’s case, the flattening is particularly egregious, because the inchoate facts of her life are shoehorned into the obsessions of amateur sleuths who continue to get those facts wrong.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Internet sleuths noticed Baldoni had not posed for photos with Lively on the red carpet.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Although Heather never named the four girls publicly, internet sleuths ascertained the identities of the girls Heather claimed bullied her daughter, and their names were circulated widely.
—Corin Cesaric, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
But in making certain allegations about his mother’s behavior before and during the wedding, held at the Peltz family’s Palm Beach estate, Brooklyn Beckham also has opened himself to serious fact-checking by online sleuths, according to the BBC.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile a significant piece of evidence in the case that citizen sleuths and true-crime influencers online continue to press on is the location of Park's unborn baby's body.
—Andrea May Sahouri, Freep.com, 19 Jan. 2026
But while British sleuths wear raincoats or umbrellas, Erica is more suited for a beautiful French scarf.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 19 Jan. 2026
Armchair sleuths, though, descended on the pod, speculating that the son was covering for his father and digging into his identity.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuths
Noun
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For a while, Mike Sherrill called detectives daily asking for an update.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
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Jason Palant said in an email Wednesday that detectives found files on Jhaveri’s cellphone during their initial investigation that met the criteria for child pornography, but Palant did not provide further details.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some accusations couldn't be verified, investigators wrote.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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The sheriff’s department posted on social media to say access was restricted to the road in front of the home to give investigators space.—
Christopher Weber,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sleuths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuths. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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